Selfie Addiction – A New Age Mental Disorder ?

In my previous post of #MyFriendAlexa series, I had talked about cell phone addiction. In this post, I will be talking on the effects of selfie addiction. Before I proceed, let me share some interesting facts about selfies:

Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the year for 2013 was ‘selfie’.

World’s first selfie was taken in 1839 by Robert Cornelius in Philadelphia.

The word ‘Selfie’ was coined in 2002 by Nathan Hope.

Selfie addiction can lead to medical conditions like ‘Selfie elbow’. It is similar to ‘tennis elbow’ or ‘golfer’s elbow’. To click a selfie, you need to raise their arm for long periods, that put your elbow muscles under severe strain. This, in the long run, makes the elbow muscles swell and puts pressure on the bone. This makes the arm joints turn sore, stiff and eventually immovable.

Mental disorders due to Selfie Addiction

Selfie addiction can also lead to mental disorders like ‘Selfitis’, BDD (body dysmorphic disorder) and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Selfitis is a condition where people feel compelled to continually post pictures of themselves on social media. Selfitis can be further divided into three levels:

Borderline — Clicking at least three selfies a day, but not posting them on social media.

Acute — Clicking at least three selfies a day and posting all of them on social media.

Chronic — Clicking more than 6 selfies a day and posting all of them on social media.

BDD is a mental disorder in which you can’t stop thinking about the flaws in your appearance, they may/may not be visible. OCD is a mental condition in which a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

Now, the question is, how clicking selfies became a mental disorder? The answer is Social Media. People think that one’s popularity is measured by the no. of likes and comments that they receive on their posts. This is why many people click ‘dangerous selfies’ because they want to do something different to receive more attention.

Author’s Note: Clicking selfies or photographs are a good way to capture moments. But don’t let it become an obsession. DON’T click any selfie by putting your life at risk.

Interesting to know that world’s first selfie was taken in 1839…who ever thought such a simple act of talking a photo of self will become such a big craze and it had redefined the way we have been looking ourselves, the obsession and the madness to go to any extent to get the act captured. Perhaps without the Social Media, it would have not gained the kind of ground it has gained in such short duration and continues to maintain that crazy momentum. To the extent that we have landed in mental disorder and digital has taken us for a ride literally and we are sucked into that vortex of instant gratification.
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You have written on a very relevant yet ignored topic. We keep hearing about accidents because someone was obsessed about taking selfies risking others lives in the process. Most of the things in moderation is not a problem. It is only when it turns to be an obsession that it becomes risky.

That is indeed a frightening trend. I agree all these modern gadgets lead to their own set of new problems. We often hear of people falling from terraces and balconies while attempting to take selfies from the edge. It is indeed a dangerous trend that can lead to mental and physical ill-health and needs to be curbed. #MyFriendAlexa #JaiSReads

Very glad to go through this post, you have discussed the psychological effects of a common phenomenon which can be now a days in a profound way, though some people are not aware of such facts but any activity is not performed without a particular reason, psychology behind activities should be discussed to make people aware.

Hey , your pust has hilights the ill-effects of latest craze,, selfie addiction. We see these addicts all over, even at home. Once I slapped my nephew cause he took our selfie, without my permission while I was busy keying a blogpost. We must warn our children about selfie-addiction. Prevention is the best cure. #MyFriendAlexa #SujatawdeReads

We certainly have come a long way since 1839 for sure. In this day and age of selfies, FOMO and YOLO I guess I am glad that that I do not suffer from mental disorder due to selfie craze!! Thanks for sharing.

Sorry, initially I went into splits that it could be a formal disorder. But thanks for bringing to light this issue that mars the current generation. The facts and figures have left me wondering about how serious a disorder this is.

True, selfie is becoming a national addiction and obsession. Starting with our PM, everyone now takes a selfie. People walk on railway track and take selfie with an incoming train. In the process they get killed. People take selfie in the middle of the road and get run over by a car. Somehow the whole world vanishes when one is taking a selfie. Phone companies are encouraging the phenomenon by designing phones that have better and better cameras some in the front and some at the back.A machine meant for connecting people living far away, is now used to taking selfie.

sharing pics on social media may be addicting but I am not too much into selfies!!! Thank God. But yeah I see it all around. Thanks for letting people think about a trend that may lead to health issues.
#mannreads

I never knew the term “selfie elbow” existed. I have never understood the obsession with selfies. I for one, am not a fan of it. How the world has gone crazy about it, I never understood. This is an insightful post about the dangers about this obsession. Thanks for the share!

If I remember correctly, India is one of the major contributor to selfie related deaths. What began as a fun thing is turning deadly with people doing dangerous stunts just for the sake of likes on social media.

If I remember correctly, India is one of the major contributor to selfie related deaths. What began as a fun thing is turning deadly with people doing dangerous stunts just for the sake of likes on social media.

It’s really sad this selfie addiction. Any monument you visit, people are more interested in taking selfies than actually enjoying the moment. In India, how many lives are lost every year because of this addiction. Glad you wrote on it.

It’s really sad this selfie addiction. Any monument you visit, people are more interested in taking selfies than actually enjoying the moment. In India, how many lives are lost every year because of this addiction. Glad you wrote on it.

I have heard and read a lot of cases of death and severe injuries related to selfie obsession. But I never knew there are certain physical & mental disorders associated with selfie addiction. Addictions are never good. Nice post!

I have heard and read a lot of cases of death and severe injuries related to selfie obsession. But I never knew there are certain physical & mental disorders associated with selfie addiction. Addictions are never good. Nice post!

Haha…Your post makes perfect sense. Earlier termed ‘Selfitis’ (or was that a word we coined?) , the selfie addiction continues to plague young minds on social media.
Also, there was the ‘selfie stick’ to avoid the problem of selfie elbow. I had got one too (the selfie stick, I mean) only to dump it in one corner of my wardrobe. I guess I am just not that much of a selfie’ish person 😉

Haha…Your post makes perfect sense. Earlier termed ‘Selfitis’ (or was that a word we coined?) , the selfie addiction continues to plague young minds on social media.
Also, there was the ‘selfie stick’ to avoid the problem of selfie elbow. I had got one too (the selfie stick, I mean) only to dump it in one corner of my wardrobe. I guess I am just not that much of a selfie’ish person 😉

Selfies obsession can lead to lot more than mental disorders, it is even making people lose their lives! What I find alarming is the increasing selfie craze amongst teenagers and youngsters which is rapidly going to the chronic stage.

Selfies obsession can lead to lot more than mental disorders, it is even making people lose their lives! What I find alarming is the increasing selfie craze amongst teenagers and youngsters which is rapidly going to the chronic stage.

Hehe i too had similar post on my blog long back and yes its new disorder but people still love it..but there has to be limit to everything.. Recently i saw monk died n people were taking selfie with his dead body… Now common u cant go that much low yaar

Hehe i too had similar post on my blog long back and yes its new disorder but people still love it..but there has to be limit to everything.. Recently i saw monk died n people were taking selfie with his dead body… Now common u cant go that much low yaar

It’s really a bit much, the amount people pose for pictures – more than being in the moment, they think about what it will look like on their instagram. And what about the people who fall of buildings and the roofs of trains in their craze for the perfect selfie.

It’s really a bit much, the amount people pose for pictures – more than being in the moment, they think about what it will look like on their instagram. And what about the people who fall of buildings and the roofs of trains in their craze for the perfect selfie.

I agree with you on all the point. in fact I had seen this kind of mental behaviour in practical life too. thanks for sharing more details about it. it is a high time to stop this selfie, smartphone and social media addiction

I agree with you on all the point. in fact I had seen this kind of mental behaviour in practical life too. thanks for sharing more details about it. it is a high time to stop this selfie, smartphone and social media addiction

I agree with you on all the point. in fact I had seen this kind of mental behaviour in practical life too. thanks for sharing more details about it. it is a high time to stop this selfie, smartphone and social media addiction

Selfies have become the ‘in’ thing today. A selfie addiction can be serious, especially when it pushes the person into dangerous situations. Thank you for this pertinent post. #DeepTiesReads #MyFriendAlexa

Selfies have become the ‘in’ thing today. A selfie addiction can be serious, especially when it pushes the person into dangerous situations. Thank you for this pertinent post. #DeepTiesReads #MyFriendAlexa

I find it so weird and funny when I see people around me clicking selfies nonstop – at malls, at airports, at parks. I don’t like selfies, and probably take them very rarely! It’s saddening to know that it’s a disorder for some!

I find it so weird and funny when I see people around me clicking selfies nonstop – at malls, at airports, at parks. I don’t like selfies, and probably take them very rarely! It’s saddening to know that it’s a disorder for some!

I find it so weird and funny when I see people around me clicking selfies nonstop – at malls, at airports, at parks. I don’t like selfies, and probably take them very rarely! It’s saddening to know that it’s a disorder for some!

Extremity of anything is bad and that holds true for this as well. I have seen selfie addiction among teenagers and young adults. The sad reality is that they will either stress themselves out for not getting that perfect selfie or throw caution to the wind and risk their own lives for that one stupid selfie.

Extremity of anything is bad and that holds true for this as well. I have seen selfie addiction among teenagers and young adults. The sad reality is that they will either stress themselves out for not getting that perfect selfie or throw caution to the wind and risk their own lives for that one stupid selfie.

Thanks for such a relevant post… I have been surrounded by friends who can be termed as ‘selfie addicts’ .. Rather than enjoying a moment they’ll rather click selfies or photographs! I seriously fail to understand the obsession .. Maybe I am too old… You have put across the cons of this addiction in a very simple and understandable manner…

Thanks for such a relevant post… I have been surrounded by friends who can be termed as ‘selfie addicts’ .. Rather than enjoying a moment they’ll rather click selfies or photographs! I seriously fail to understand the obsession .. Maybe I am too old… You have put across the cons of this addiction in a very simple and understandable manner…

There was a time when people on my FB Timeline went absolutely mad and post 30 selfies a day from weird places – washroom, lift, bed. Good selfies once is a while makes sense but to over do is a torture on others too. Yes it is a mental disorder people need to realise.

There was a time when people on my FB Timeline went absolutely mad and post 30 selfies a day from weird places – washroom, lift, bed. Good selfies once is a while makes sense but to over do is a torture on others too. Yes it is a mental disorder people need to realise.

There was a time when people on my FB Timeline went absolutely mad and post 30 selfies a day from weird places – washroom, lift, bed. Good selfies once is a while makes sense but to over do is a torture on others too. Yes it is a mental disorder people need to realise.

Just like addiction of cell phone, selfie addiction is a growing disorder. I find people dont enjoy the moment in clicking the best selfie. Recently I attended an event where everyone was busy in taking selfie with others and after that no one was talking to each other. THat was so strange. Selfie Mania is a big issue in todays time.

Just like addiction of cell phone, selfie addiction is a growing disorder. I find people dont enjoy the moment in clicking the best selfie. Recently I attended an event where everyone was busy in taking selfie with others and after that no one was talking to each other. THat was so strange. Selfie Mania is a big issue in todays time.

Cell phone itself is a big trap and almost everyone have fallen in that trap like forever. I really don’t understand people’s obsession with selfie. I always prefer someone clicking my photo and vice versa. Self is only the last optiom

Cell phone itself is a big trap and almost everyone have fallen in that trap like forever. I really don’t understand people’s obsession with selfie. I always prefer someone clicking my photo and vice versa. Self is only the last optiom

I am happy that I am not addicted to selfie but I kind of want to click more selfie… they make quick content for your Instagram profile and when u r aiming to post once a day there… and u dont have content or time… selfies help 😀

I am happy that I am not addicted to selfie but I kind of want to click more selfie… they make quick content for your Instagram profile and when u r aiming to post once a day there… and u dont have content or time… selfies help 😀